Liverpool Broadchurch actor Chris Mason has thanked fans after he was unmasked as the drama’s villain in the chilling series finale .

The series finale on Monday left viewers shocked when it emerged that his character Leo Humphries forced 16-year-old Michael Lucas (Deon Lee-Williams) to rape Julie Hesmondhalgh’s character, Trish Winterman.

And remorseless Leo was charged over two further sex attacks carried out when he returned to Broadchurch on his summer holidays from university.

Mason told fans on Twitter : “Thanks for all the messages on Broadchurch. It was an honour to be part of such an important TV show. Thanks for watching.”

The 26-year-old, who was born in Edge Hill and grew up in Broadgreen, won acclaim for his performance in the ITV drama, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman.

Christopher Moore wrote on Twitter: “ Chris Mason , You have just portrayed one of the most skin-crawling TV villains I’ve ever watched. Brilliant performance.”